By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Office of the Ombudsman-Region VI (Ombudsman-6) recently ordered the National Bureau of Investigation-Region VI (NBI-6) to explain their process when investigating the case surrounding the ambush of Atty. Erfe del Castillo, which took place last December.
Based on a document obtained by Watchmen Daily Journal, Ombudsman-6 acting Director Pio Dargantes ordered NBI-6 director, Atty. Max Salvador, to submit a report on how they handled the legal procedures in filing a case.
Task Force Kasanag National Commander John Chiong and Atty. Jose Max Ortiz earlier called into question why NBI-6 filed a case without a subpoena. They also wondered why the case was filed at the NBI Regional Office in Iloilo City and not in Bacolod City, which has jurisdiction over the case.
Ortiz earlier claimed his inclusion in the case was “baseless” and announced plans to file a P20 million countersuit.
Last month, del Castillo filed criminal charges against Ortiz; businesswoman Catherine Berioso-Cabuga, who also goes by the name ‘Kate Brios;’ along with Berioso-Cabuga’s mother and sister for their alleged involvement in her ambush.
Five police officers were also named, including former Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Colonel Francisco Ebreo; former acting BCPO director, Police Lieutenant Colonel Richie Yatar; Police Captain James Adrian Albaytar; Police Senior Master Sergeant Joshua Barile; and Police Staff Sergeant Ronald Ortiz.
Del Castillo claimed the suspects conspired to kill her, naming Berios-Cabuga as the “mastermind.”
“I am a thorn on her neck,” she said, adding, the ambush stemmed from a dispute between Berioso-Cabuga and her husband, particularly over the Metro Inn Hotel in Bacolod City.
The plaintiff serves as legal counsel to Berioso-Cabuga’s estranged husband, Francis./DGB, WDJ